Nearly everything has a camera these days. From our phones to our mp3 players to our laptops and tablets, we can take photographs pretty much anytime, anywhere.
We live in a culture where videos and images are shared quickly on blogs, social media and by email, with some going viral in mere minutes.
Therefore, when we choose to send intimate images of ourselves to our partners, we run the risk of these pictures being sent to others.
Once a picture is sent on from the original recipient, it’s near impossible to regain control of that image.
If your partner has asked that you send them a sexy photograph using your phone, you first of all need to ask yourself whether you feel comfortable doing it. Remember that it’s your body and you shouldn’t feel pressured into taking these images of yourself.
Then, you need to think about whether you trust your partner enough to send them an explicit image. Are you sure that your partner wouldn’t forward these images on to their friends or upload them to any websites? What about if you break up – do you think they would send the images on to others as a way to get back at you?
Img Source: huffpost.com
You also need to consider if your partner is alone. They could be with friends who are trying to get explicit pictures sent to them as a dare.
Also, due to the fact that you can never be 100% sure of who is on the receiving end of your messages – you need to make sure that it is definitely your partner who you’re sending these images to.
At the end of the day, it’s your choice whether or not you send sexy photos or videos. But you need to be aware of the consequences.
What to do if an image has been sent to other people
Img Source: androidworld.it
The safeinternet.org.uk website has a resource for young people to help them if they discover that the image they have shared has been sent to other people. You can download the ‘So you got naked online’ guide for free from the safeinternet.org.uk website.
More help
For more help on how to stay safe online, read theCoupleConnection’s How to Stay Safe when Online Dating article.
If you are concerned about your partner’s use of the internet, read our article Sex and the internet.
